ESR Community Capacity Building Program

The Environment and Social Responsibility (ESR) Community Team proudly held its first-ever Community Capacity Building Program for our Community Volunteers. This inaugural event marked a significant milestone in our efforts to foster knowledge, empathy, and actionable skills among those serving marginalized communities, particularly refugees in Malaysia.

The program was designed with the goal of equipping our volunteers with essential insights and tools needed to serve the refugee community effectively and compassionately. Through a combination of talks and interactive discussions, volunteers gained a deeper understanding of the complex realities refugees face, as well as their rights and challenges in a host country like Malaysia — a nation that has not signed the 1951 UNHCR Refugee Convention. This context brought additional meaning and urgency to our volunteer efforts.

We were honoured to host two guest speakers from the Children’s Training Centre (CTC), Mr. James and Mr. Shamrooz. Their heartfelt sharing and lived experiences brought important perspectives and personal stories to the forefront, helping our volunteers connect emotionally with the cause and understand the practical needs of the community.

Additionally, I had the privilege of serving as a forum moderator for the first time. Guiding the conversation with our speakers was both a learning opportunity and a personal milestone. It was an eye-opening experience to hear firsthand about the day-to-day struggles, resilience, and aspirations of refugees in Malaysia.

This capacity building program not only empowered our volunteers but also strengthened our collective commitment to social responsibility and meaningful community engagement.